2,000 Softcovers Donated for Incarcerated Readers

Did you know that most prisons don’t permit hardcover books? That means people inside often have to wait a year to access new releases—if they can access them at all.

That’s why I’m excited to share some amazing news: for the first time, Penguin Press and Penguin Random House have produced a special softcover edition of my upcoming book, The Jailhouse Lawyer, just for incarcerated readers. Even better, they’re donating 2,000 copies so the book can reach readers inside without delay—thanks in part to you!

Our matching campaign was a huge success.

When Penguin Press offered to donate 1,000 copies of The Jailhouse Lawyer for incarcerated readers, we asked if we could double that number through a matching campaign, and they said yes. For every 3 hardcover pre-orders placed by June 24, 2025, Penguin Press would donate 1 softcover edition for someone inside. Our goal: 1,000 more copies.

Guess what? We made it! Now 2,000 copies of The Jailhouse Lawyer will be distributed to individuals inside prisons and jails.

Thanks to you—our supporters—and to our publisher, Penguin Press, The Jailhouse Lawyer will be available to incarcerated readers at the same time as the general public.

Knowing how much stories of survival meant to me on the inside, I’m overjoyed that this book will soon reach one of my most valued reading communities.

Thank you for supporting not just me and Sophie, but also those on the inside.

— Calvin